Oak Lawn school adjusting to view
Community saddened by demolition of student overpass
The pedestrian overpass on Southwest Highway near Oak Lawn Community High School has provided a safe route over the busy thoroughfare for students, staff and the community since it was built in the mid-1960s.
So when the overpass was demolished last month after school administrators realized it would be too costly to renovate, a sentimental jolt was felt for many.
“I must admit it will take some time to adjust to the new view as I turn on to Southwest Highway off of 95th Street on my way to school every day,” said Superintendent Michael Riordan, who has worked at the high school for decades. “I did receive a call from an Oak Lawn Community High School alum who graduated in 1972, who was upset about its removal.
“She expressed safety concerns for students, but really she felt that a part of her past was now gone.”
School administrators are asking students to use the crosswalk at the 95th Street intersection or other nearby crosswalks to avoid the dangers of crossing in the middle of busy traffic. Staff members also have been on hand to direct students to cross safely in the initial days since the overpass has been gone.
Riordan said the overpass, with its crumbling concrete steps, posed a safety risk and needed significant repairs or renovation.
“Our staff has made some short-term repairs to the steps to prevent tripping hazards,” Riordan said. “However, our engineering consultant has informed us that the stairs on each side of the overpass needed total replacement.”
The overpass was built to give students an easy and safe way to cross from the school to what was once the only nearby athletic field for physical education classes and sports team practice.
But in 2008, the district installed synthetic turf on a football field next to the school, allowing regular use of that location and cutting down on the need for students to use the overpass. Only the varsity baseball team now uses the field across Southwest Highway and they will either drive there or use the crosswalk, according to the district.
Assistant Principal Marcus Wargin said the school board had mulled the idea of renovating the aging overpass. The district also looked at proposals, including one to expand the overpass over 95th Street and include a bicycle path. But a complete makeover proved too costly at a million dollars and replacement of the concrete steps alone would have cost half a million.
But that doesn’t mean the decision was easy.
“For me personally, there’s a sense of nostalgia,” said Wargin, who has also worked at the school for several decades. “Just driving up to the school ... there has always been something there.”